Selective dispensing apertures in fluid applicator



Feb. 8, 1966 M. P. NEAL ETAL SELECTIVP DISPENSING APERTURES IN FLUID APPLLCATOR Filed Nov. 1, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 H II 'iIilii INVENTOR.

Morris P Neal Donald G. Heiohert Virgil S. Dice ATTORNEY Feb. 8, 1966 M. P. NEAL ETAL SELECTIVE DISPENSING APERTURES IN FLUID AIPLICATOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 1, 1961 Q Q v3 11 r m m H W e m mm m WN IPG f. .md FIJI ai mm MDV Feb. 8, 1966 M. P. NEAL ETAL SELECTIVE DISPENSING APERTURES IN FLUID APPLICATOR 5 Sheets-Sheet .5

Filed Nov. L, 1961 INVENTOR.

P Neal Donald G. Beicherf Virgil 5 D162 Morris 1 TOFNEY Feb. 8, 1966 M. P. NEAL ETAL 3,233,583

SELECTIVE DISPENSING APERTURES IN FLUID AIPLICATOR Filed Nov. l, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. Morris P Neal Donald G. Reiehem. Virgil S. Dice TORNEY' Feb. 8, 1966 M. P. NEAL ETAL SELECTIVE DISPENSING APERTURES IN FLUID APPLICATOR Filed Nov. 1, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 84 53 i afi 194 ummnmuw 197 INVENTOR.

Morris P Neal Donald G. Reicherf Vicgi! S. Dice ATTORNEY position by the Unie 3,233,583 Patented Feb. 8, 1966 ice 3,233,583 SELEClTl /E DESFENSHNG APERTURES EN FLUKE AIPPLICATQR Morris E. Neal, Clearwater, and Bonald G. Reichert and Virgil S. Dice, Tarpon Springs, Fla, assignors to A-li-(l Packaging Machine (Iorporation, Clearwater, Firm, a corporation oi Illinois Filed Nov. 1, 1961, Ser. No. 149,398

3 Claims. (-Ql. 11841l) This invention relates to a fluid applicator, and is more particularly concerned with an adhesive applicator for applying preselected patterns of adhesive to surfaces moved past the applicator. The present invention is also concerned with a glue applying machine for automatically applying glue or the like to the flaps of successive fibre board containers moved along a predetermined path.

In the past, many glue applicators have been devised for applying glue to the laps of fibre board containers. By the term glue or adhesive as used herein, we mean a liquid material which when applied to a surface is capable of securing two surfaces together. Some forms of prior art glue applicators include glue pots having mounted therein roller coating members. The devices, of course, usually apply glue upwardly and must expose the glue contained therein to atmospheric air. Therefore, use of these applicators is limited and the glue therein tends to dry, necessitating almost daily cleaning of the devices. Other forms of prior art applicators include nozzles which spray the glue onto selected portions of the flaps. nozzles tend to spray glue on other nearby objects, leak or become so clogged that no glue is applied.

The pattern of application of the prior art devices is usually fixed, whereby a shut-down of the equipment and the substitution or addition of elements may be required to eflect a change in the pattern.

Many prior art glue applicators are gravity fed and hence any solidification of glue along thc path of travel of the glue may tend to clog the passageway or cause a deflection of the direction of application of the glue.

Briefly, the present invention, which overcomes the disadvantages described above, includes a conveyor which moves successive boxes alont a predetermined path of travel wherein the side flaps of the boxes are passed adjaccnt glue applicators and. are coated with proper patterns of glue, the flap thereafter being folded over the end flaps to close each box. Each fluid applicator, i.e. each glue applicator, includes a core supported in a fixed framework of the machine, the core an axial passageway or channel for the glue fed by pressure thereto. A tubular cover over each core is provided with circumferentially spaced lines of holes or discharge ports, the cover being rocked or rotated slightly when it is desired to align one line of holes with the channel for the discharge of glue. An indexing ring connected to the cover permits indexing of the cover for positioning diiferent lines of discharge ports adjacent the passage way. The rocking of the cover is controlled according to a cam which determines the length of time and sequence of discharge of the applicator. The cam, in turn,

is synchronized with the conveyor and actuated by the presence of a box at the glue applying zone.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid application which will not readily clog or leak and will automatically unclog itself, if it becomes clogged;

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid application which in any position of the application, with respect to the horizontal, will apply any one of a plurality of fluid patterns to surfaces positioned or passed adjacent thereto.

Another object of the present invention is to provide Such a fluid application which seals the incoming fluid within the applicator and only exposes the discharging fluid to atmospheric air.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a glue applying machine which will automatically apply a positively timed prescribed intermittent or continuous pattern of glue to the side flaps of successive fibre board boxes fed through the machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a glue applying machine in which the glue pattern to be applied may be readily and quickly varied.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a glue applying machine which is highly efficient, inexpensive and durable.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a glue applying machine which requires little maintenance and attention, the machine being capable of operation for an extended period of time without requiring refilling with glue.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a glue applicator which will use a minimum of glue in producing a suitable pattern of glue on a flap, or the like, to be sealed.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an adhesive applying machine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a detail of the machine shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the canopy of the machine shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the canopy shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of one of the fluid applicators of the present invention, the fluid applicator going 1one of the applicators employed in the machine of FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the fluid applicator shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional View taken along line 7'7 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the pneumatic control for the fluid applicator of the machine shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 and showing a mechanical control which may be substituted for the pneumatic control of FIG. 6.

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are perspective views of fibre board boxes showing various glue patterns applied to the flaps of the boxes.

Referring now in detail to the embodiments chosen for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, it being understood that in its broader aspects the present invention is not limited to the exact details herein depicted, numeral 2% denotes generally the main frame of the adhesive applying machine of the present invention, the frame 20 being supported by legs 21. Successive boxes 15 are received at the entrance end of the machine and are moved in the direction of the arrow 19 in FIG. 1 through the machine between a pair of opposed, horizontally disposed conveyors 22. Each conveyor 22 includes a continuous chain 23 carried between a pair of sprockets 24 and 25 mounted on the upper ends of vertical shafts 26 and 27 appropriately journalled for rotation in the frame 2%.

The chains 23 have a plurality of outwardly extending, box engaging fingers 28 evenly spaced along its length, the distance between adjacent fingers on the same chain being greater than the length of a box 15. The inner flights of the chains 23 are essentially parallel and spaced apart only approximately the width of the box 15. Therefore, the end of each successive box is engaged at its outer edge portion by an opposed pair of fingers 28 and moved through the machine. Since the fingers 23 are evenly spaced apart longitudinally, each conveyed box is spaced by the same amount from the adjacent boxes in front and behind.

In the central portion of the main frame 26 are a pair of transversely opposed upstanding standards 3%, while at the discharge end of the main frame 2d are upstanding standards 31. The up er ends of the standards are joined by reinforcing struts 32 to form a canopy over the frame 20.

Slidably carried by the standards 39 and 31 is an upper frame denoted generally by numeral 33. The frame 33 includes a pair of opposed side plates 34 extending longitudinally parallel to each other between standards 3th and 31. Suitable ribs, such as rib 35, extend between the plates 34- and impart rigidly to the frame 33. Each of standards 3% and 31 has racks, such as rack as, in which mesh the pinions, such as pinion 37, mounted on shaft 33. It will be understood that shafts, such as shaft 38, are synchronized and may be manually rotated to raise or lower the upper frame 33 within the canopy to adjust for the proper box height.

Suspended from the forward portion of the upper frame 33 is the horizontally disposed forward end flap closing plate or shoe 39 having a forwardly and upwardly turned tip which, as the box is moved inwardly therebeneath, folds the forward end flap 16 of each box if? inwardly thereof. Operating in conjunction with this plate 39 is a rear end flap closing rake 40 which is rocked on an armate path across the rear end flap 17 of each box 15 as the box passes between standards '39. Thus, the rear flap is folded inwardly and will also pass beneath shoe 39.

Projecting downwardly from a transverse rod 41 on frame 33 are a pair of L-shaped arms 42, the lower flanges of which extend inwardly and carry a pair of opposed box guides 4-3 over conveyor 22 at a height sufhcient to be engaged by the sides of the box 15. Guides 43 prevent lateral movement of the box 15 as the end flaps .16 and 17 are folded inwardly.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the shoe 39 carries a pair of upstanding side flange spreader plates 44 which extend rearwardly and outwardly therefrom so that the side flaps ld of each box 15 are maintained in their essentially vertical position. The spreader plates 44- are each essentially triangular shaped members having horizontal lower edges and vertical rear edges hingedly connected to the transversely opposed flap guide flanges 45. The flap guide flanges 45 are maintained by friction in any set position.

Extending rearwardly from the lower ends of arms 42 are a pair of parallel support bars 47, the rear ends of whichare carried by a pair of arms 4-3 extending downwardly from the rear portions of the upper frame 33.

Transversely outwardly opposite each of the spreader plates 4-4 is a spring loaded presser plate 56 which urges the side flaps 18 inwardly as they pass the fluid or glue applicators, denoted generally by numeral 60. In more detail, each presser plate is a flat rectangular member which is pivotally supported by vertical shaft 51. The shaft 51 is in turn supported between its associated side plates 34 and support .bar 47 whereby the plate 59 protrudes rearwardly and slightly inwardly to act against the .outer surface of a side flap 1] of each box 15. As seen best in FIG. 2, a lever arm 52 protrudes outwardly from the plate St) in a radial direction with respect to shaft 51 .and receives one end of a coiled spring 53, the other end of which is connected to its associated bar 47, rearwardly of lever 51. Thus, at all times, plate 50 is urged in a counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 2.

The rear end of presser plate 50 terminates slightly rearwardly of the rear end of its associated flange 45. Thus, the side flaps 13 of each incoming box 15 pass between the rear edge of plat 5t) and the rear edge of flange According to the present invention, the glue applicators 6b are positioned inwardly adjacent the flanges 45, the two applicators 60 being carried by a transverse cross bar 61 extending between plates in more detail, each applicator is carried by a C-shaped support, denoted generally by numeral "iii. The essentially vertical body of support 7% is secured to the cross bar 61 while the for wardly extending upper bracket arm 144 is secured to the core of the fluid applicator as as will be more fully explained hereinafter. The lower bracket arm 62 of the support "id is secured to the mounting block The applicators 6d are both inclined inwardly and downwardly such that the outer portion of the peripheral surface of each applicator 66 is positioned vertically, as seen in FIG. 2, and whereby the rear vertical edge of each flange d5 terminates outwardly adjacent this vertical portion at about the transverse center line of the applicator or slightly forwardly thereof.

Fluid applicator Each fluid applicator 69, as seen best in FIGS. 5 and 6, includes a circular core having a conical shank which tapers upwardly, merging with one end of a coaxially disposed carrying shaft Till. The upper end of shaft 1G1 forms a nipple which receives the end of the flexible glue supply hose Hi2, seen in FIG. 1. Shaft M91 is hollow, having a central glue passageway 1% throughout its length which terminates within the shank 1%. A connecting bore res drilled inwardly at the upper portion of shank tilt) communicates with passageway 103.

The outer surface or periphery of shank tilt? is provided with an axially disposed, outwardly opening channel or groove 1B5 which communicates at its upper end portion with bore ill t, the channel extending substantially the entire height of the shank ltlli but terminating inwardly of the ends of shank liltl. The lower end portion of channel res communicates with an inwardly projecting bore 1% which, in turn, leads to a drain hole 167 counterbored in the lower end of shank fill A larger diameter valve receiving hole ltd-8 in the lower end of shank lilo threadedly receives the valve 1&9 by means of which the passageway comprising passageway 103, bore 164, channel 195, bore 1% and hole ill? may be drained, if desired. Preferably, the valve T139 is recessed in a recessed portion in the lower end of shank lull.

Extending over the entire periphery or outer surface of shank tilt) is a thin walled, hollow, frusto-conical cover 12%. Preferably this circular cover 129 is formed of tetrafiuoroethylene polymer (Teflon) so as to provide a smooth, slick surface. The upper end of cover 12d above channel 1 35 is provided with a cylindrical head 121 which surrounds the upper end of shank Mill and is press fitted into the cup-shaped lower end 122 of an indexing sleeve 123 received on shaft ltll.

Sleeve 123 extends upwardly around shaft fill and terminates below the nipple end of shaft lltlll, the end of shaft 1491 being externally threaded for receiving a jam nut 124 thereon. It is now seen that the force applied by jam nut 124 tends to urge the cover 126 downwardly while urging shank 1M upwardly into snug engagement with each other, such that the glue or other fluid in channel will be sealed therein while permitting relative rotation of the cover 12% with respect to the shank ltlll when desired.

Above the cup-like end 122 of sleeve 123, the sleeve 123 is provided with an abutment ring 125, above which is a bearing collar 12b. The collar 126 carries the inner race of a ball bearing 127, the outer race of which is received within a mounting block 123. The inner race of bearing 127 is locked in place on a reduced diameter portion of collar 126 by a lock nut 129 Thus, the sleeve 123 is essentially free to rotate with respect to block 128.

The upper end of collar 126 abuts a compressing spring 130 which surrounds an intermediate portion of sleeve 123. The upper end of spring 130, in turn, acts against an indexing ring 131 which is slidably received on but rotatably fixed to sleeve 123. In more detail, the sleeve 123 is provided with an axial keyway 132 which receives a key 133, the key 133 being secured to ring 131 by a set screw 134.

Upward movement of the index ring 131 is prevented by a keeper ring 135 fixed to sleeve 123 and recessed in the upper end of ring 131.

Above the keeper ring 135 is a rocker ring 136 from which protrudes a lever 137 by means of which the ring 136 is rocked back and forth. A coupling pin 1138, press fitted into rocker ring 136, protrudes downwardly and into a selected one of a plurality of radially spaced upwardly opening holes 1 39 along the upper surface of indexing ring 131. A selector finger 140 extends downwardly from the periphery of rocker ring 136 over the periphery of indexing ring 131 and may be aligned with any one of a plurality of scribe marks 1 .1 on indexing ring 131.

While ring 136 is easily rotated with respect to sleeve 123, it is axially fixed with respect thereto by a second keeper ring 143, the keeper rings 135 and 14 3 bracketing the rocker ring 136 therebetween.

The core, i.e. the shaft 101, is rotationally fixed with respect to the machine by means of the bracket arm 144 which is keyed to shaft 1111 by a key 145.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the cover 121) is provided with a plurality of lines or rows of holes or discharge ports 150, circumferentially evenly spaced from each other. Each line of holes 154) is axially disposed whereby any one of the lines or rows of holes 151 may be selectively aligned with the channel 1195 for the discharging of fluid, i.e. glue through that line of holes 150. When it is desired to interrrupt the flow of glue through the selected line of holes 150, the cover is simply rocked slightly to move the selected line of holes 150 to a position adjacent the channel 105.

The rocking of the cover for alignment or disalignment of a selected row of holes 1511 is accomplished by the lever 137, acting through the coupled rings 136 and 131. The indexing of the cover 120 is accomplished manually by depressing ring 131 below the coupling pin 13% against the compression of spring 131 and the manual rotation of ring 131 until a newly selected line or row of holes is adjacent the channel 105.

It will be understood that preferably the row of holes 150 is graduated in length. For example, one row of holes may be 2 inches long, the next row of holes may be 4 inches long and the next row of holes may be 6 inches long, etc. Of course, the channel 105 is longer than the longest row of holes 151). Many variations may be made in the arrangement of the holes 150 to adapt the device for various operations which need not be discussed here.

Carried by the upstanding rib 49 of the upper frame 33 is a glue tank 89 which may be filled with glue or other suitable adhesive. The glue tank is a closed cylindrical container which may be pressurized by compressed air in any conventional manner, such as through a regulator valve 81 at the top of tank 80. The glue is fed from the tank 83 through flexible hoses, such as hose 102, connected between the bottom of tank 31 and the nipple end of shaft 101 of both applicator 61 It is now seen that glue, under pressure, is supplied via the hoses, such as hose 192 to the channel 105 of each applicator 60 and upon alignment of a row of holes 150 with the channel 105, the glue will be discharged adjacent the rear edges of the flanges, such as flange 45.

Control mechanism As pointed out above, the discharge of the glue from the applicators 61) are respectively controlled by the levers 137. As seen in FIG. 4, the outer ends of levers 137 are pivotally connected to actuator arms, such as piston rods 33, which lead from the pistons (not shown) of a pair of double acting air cylinders 84 mounted on a cross bar 61. Flexible hoses 86 and 87 lead from an air supply hose 88 via a control valve 89, to the opposite ends of each cylinder 84 while pilot air for actuating valve 89 is supplied through a conduit 91) past a pair of valves 91 and 92.

The valve 91 is controlled by a treadle 93 positioned between the conveyors 22 as shown in FIG. 1. An incoming box depresses treadle 93 and opens valve 91. The second valve 92 is actuated by a cam 95, the rotation of which is synchronized with the rotation of sprockets 24 driving the chains, a motor (not shown) driving both shafts 2t and the shaft 915 which carries the cam 95. Peferably, the drive from the motor (not shown) is such that, as the inner flights of the chains 23 advance the distance between adjacent fingers 28, the cam 95 makes one revolution.

In the embodiment here shown, the cam has a pair of lands or raised portions 97 which engage and open the valve 92 arranged adjacent thereto. Thus, with the treadle 93 opening valve 91 and one of the lands 97 open ing valve 92, air is supplied to the control valve 89 to act against the valve member 98 to urge it against the spring pressure of spring 99 to the right in FIG. 8. With either valve 31 or 92 closed, the spring 93 returns the valve member 98 to its original position as shown in FIG. 8.

It will be seen from FIG. 8 that the passageways in valve member 95 are so arranged that, with the valve member 93 to the left in FIG. 8 air is supplied via hose 8:? to retract the piston rods 83 and when the valve member is to the right in FIG. 8, air is supplied via hose 87 to extend the piston rods 83. The applicators 60 are so arranged that the retracting of the piston rods 83 will align a prescribed row of holes 150 in each applicator 61} with its channel and cause the discharge of fluid, i.e., glue, through the holes onto the side flaps 18 passing, at that time, between the flange 45 and presser plate 54 adjacent each applicator 60.

In the modification shown in FIG. 9, it will be seen that a cam 195 having lands 196 and a treadle 193 may be substituted for the cam 95 and treadle 93 for mechanically actuating the applicators 60. In more detail, the treadle 193 is connected by a rod 194 to one arm of a bell crank 196 and will be urged to the right when a box depresss the treadle 193, thereby rotating the bell crank 196 against spring tension of spring 197 in a clock Wise direction to raise a vertical rod 198 connected to the other arms of the bell crank 1%; the upper end of rod 138 carries an axially slotted bar 199 within the slot of which is a pin 2% connected to a flat lever 2G1 pivotally carried on the end of a pitman 2192, the lever 201 being urged into parallelism with the pitman by means of spring 2113. The pitman 2-62, in turn, is connected to an actuator arm or rod 183 connected to the lever 137 of an applicator 69.

Within the pitman 2112 is a slot 203 which receives a pin 184 carried by one end of a bell crank 185. The other end of the bell'crank 185 carries a cam follower 186 which is depressed by the lobes 196 to move the pin 184 rearwardly, in a lost motion action, in slot 203. If, however, the treadle 193 is depressed by the presence of a box 15, thereby raising rod 198 so as to arrange the lever 201 parallel to the pitman 203, the pin 184 will strike the end of lever 201 and hence force pitman 202 to the left. This action moves rod 183 to the left and rotates lever 137 of the applicator 60.

Glue patterns Referring now to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, it will be seen that a variety of glue patterns may be obtained on the inside surfaces of the flaps of the boxes by means of applicators 60. For example, in FIG. 10 illustrates that a pair of spaced, Wide rectangular areas of glue 300 may be placed on the side flap 318 of box 315 by arranging for each applicator 60, a relatively long row of holes 150 in discharging position and by increasing the normal pressure in the glue tank 80. In FIG. 11, three transversely spaced, intermittent longitudinal rows of glue 4% may be applied to side flap 417 of box 415 by having appropriately spaced holes 150 in the selected row of holes 1% arranged for discharge at each applicator 66. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 12, only narrow strips of glue may be applied adjacent the free edges of side flaps 518 of box 515 with appropriate holes 150 at the upper portion of cover 120 arranged for discharging in each applicator 60.

Flap fold down After the side flaps 18 have passed beyond the glue applictaors 60 and have received glue on their inner surfaces, the flaps remain essentially upright and the box is conveyed farther toward the right in FIG. 1, whereby the side flaps 18 are engaged by a pair of transversely spaced opposed turn down plates 250 which extend in wardly over the path of travel of the boxes 15. Each plate 250 progressively curves from vertical to a horizontal so as progressively to fold the side flaps 18 inwardly and urge them against the end flaps 16 and 17. The turndown plates 250 are carried by bars 47.

It will be observed in FIG. 3 that the shoe 39 extends rearward a substantial distance between the turn down plates 250 whereby the plates 2S0 begin to fold the side flaps 18 inwardly before the end flaps 16 and 17 clear the end of shoe 39. Thus, the danger of the end flaps 16 and 17 springing upwardly is eliminated.

As the boxes 15 reach the end of their travel through the machine, the side flaps 18 are urged firmly against the end flaps 16 and 17' and hence the glue on the side flaps adheres the contiguous surfaces together.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many variations may be made in the embodiments chosen for the purpose of illustrating the present invention without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A fluid applicator comprising a core having a conical shank and a shaft connected to one end of said shank, a conical cover over said shank, said shaft being provided with a passageway therethrough, said shank having an axially disposed, outwardly opening channel at its surface, said passageway communicating with said channel for supplying fluid to said channel from said passageway, said cover being provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced rows of holes, each row being selectively alignable with said channel, a sleeve over said shaft and connected to said cover, an indexing ring connected to said sleeve for rotating said cover to bring any one of said rows into close proximity with said channel, a rocker ring adjacent said index ring, and means for selectively coupling said rocker ring and said indexing ring in various positions with respect to each other, whereby rotation of said rocker ring will rotate said indexing ring and thereby rotate said cover for aligning the selected row of holes with said channel for the discharge of fluid therethrough.

2. A fluid applicator comprising a core having a conical shank and a shaft connected to one end of said shank, a conical cover over said shank, said shaft being provided with a passageway therethrough, said shank having an axially disposed, outwardly opening channel at its surface, said passageway communicating with said channel for supplying fluid to said channel from said passageway, said cover being provided with a plurality of circumfer entially spaced rows of holes, each row being selectively alignable with said channel, a sleeve over said shaft and connected to said cover, an indexing ring connected to said sleeve for rotating said cover to bring any one of said holes into close proximity with said channel, a rockor ring adjacent said index ring, ieans for rocking said rocker r'mg, means for selectively coupling said rocker ring and said indexing ring in various positions with respect to each other, whereby rotation of said rocker ring will rotate said indexing ring and thereby rotate said cover for aligning the selected row of holes with said channel for the discharge of fluid therethrough, and yieldable means for resiliently urging said rocker ring and said indexin ring into coupling engagement.

3. A fluid applicator comprising a core having a conical shank and a shaft connected to one end of said shank, a conical cover over said shank, said shaft behig provided with a passageway therethrough, said shank having an axially disposed, outwardly opening channel at its surface, said passageway communicating with said channel for supplying fluid to said channel from said passageway, said cover being provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced rows of holes, each row being selectively alignable with said channel, a sleeve over said shaft and connected to said cover, an indexing ring connected to said sleeve for rotating said cover to bring any one of said rows into close proximity with said channel, a rocker ring adjacent said index ring, means for rocking said rocker ring, means for selectively coupling said rocker ring and said indexing ring in various positions with respect to each other, whereby rotation of said rocker ring will rotate said indexing ring and thereby rotate said cover for aligning the selected row of holes with said channel for the discharge of fluid therethrough, yieldable means for maintaining said indexing ring and said rocker ring in coupling engagement, and a drain valve carried by said shank, said shank having a passageway from said drain valve to said channel for the passage of fluid there through from said channel to said drain valve.

References Qited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 735,638 8/1903 Wickson 222486 835,928 11/1906 Allen 2'39562 2,288,012 6/1942 Mongan 239-562 2,608,949 9/ 1952 Pasotti. 2,691,260 10/ 1954 Schlernmer. 2,776,224 1/1957 Cote 1181 X 2,796,847 6/1957 Guggenheim 118411 2,890,559 6/1959 Rosen. 2,984,598 5/1961 Gobalet. 3,044,666 7/ 1962 Dyer 222-486 X 3,056,337 10/1962 Bahr et al. 118-2 3,088,433 5/1963 Walter et al.

FOREIGN PATENTS 447,219 5/1936 Great Britain.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

' RICHARD D. NEVIUS, Examiner. 

1. A FLUID APPLICATOR COMPRISING A CORE HAVING A CONICAL SHANK AND A SHAFT CONNECTED TO ONE END OF SAID SHAFT, A CONICAL COVER OVER SAID SHANK, SAID SHAFT BEING PROVIDED WITH A PASSAGEWAY THERETHROUGH, SAID SHANK HAVING AN AXIALLY DISPOSED, OUTWARDLY OPENING CHANNEL AT ITS SURFACE, SAID PASSAGEWAY COMMUNICATING WITH SAID CHANNEL FOR SUPPLYING FLUID TO SAID CHANNEL FROM SAID PASSAGEWAY, SAID COVER BEING PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED ROWS OF HOLES, EACH ROW BEING SELECTIVELY ALIGNABLE WITH SAID CHANNEL, A SLEEVE OVER SAID SHAFT AND CONNECTED TO SAID COVER, AN INDEXING RING CONNECTED TO SAID SLEEVE FOR ROTATING SAID COVER TO BRING ANY ONE OF SAID ROWS INTO CLOSE PROXIMITY WITH SAID CHANNEL, A ROCKER RING ADJACENT SAID INDEX RING, AND MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY COUPLING SAID ROCKER RING IN SAID INDEXING RING IN VARIOUS POSITIONS WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER, WHEREBY ROTATION OF SAID ROCKER RING WILL ROTATE SAID INDEXING RING AND THEREBY ROTATE SAID COVER FOR ALIGNING THE SELECTED ROW OF HOLES WITH SAID CHANNEL FOR THE DISCHARGE OF FLUID THERETHROUGH. 